As is, where is.

The approach of the Changemakers Academy is to educate the participant within the context of their own life. ‘As is, where is’, is the mantra.

The vision is that a person living within their circumstances and life are able to find the benevolence and the goodness that is available to them — however little it may be to start with. Enabled with this knowledge, one is able to allow inner transformation. When that begins to occur — and that is a continuous process that deepens and deepens over the entire lifetime — the outer reality begins to transform.

The vision of this course is to enable individuals to become those centers of Change within their life circumstances, allowing ripples of Change to form outwards. The course also enables the participants with sight and tools to be able to include others (people, things, objects) about them in their transformation. (This inclusion is obtained through receptivity, not force. Receptivity is the fundamental principle through which one aligns with the rest of their universe. This rule applies to all beings within the Universe – which is to say that all components of the Universe come together based on their receptivity to that which is other-than-them. However one is responsible for only their own receptivity.)

The course does not visualize any single individual as a center of Change/benevolence. Rather, benevolence can be radiated outwards from each being. Only the method and the channel of this benevolence is unique for each individual or entity. Therefore this course does not take the view that enables a single heroic individual within a large or small group. It aims to enable rightness in any- and everyone.

In taking this approach, the course honors the principle that one’s own life is the best course of development that is granted to them. This would be true whether looked at scientifically (i.e., to read the story in terms of genes/DNA) or spiritually (which is to take the view that all is well).

A positive side-effect of the ‘as is, where is’ approach is that it reduces the footprint of one’s movement away from life in order to learn about transformation. This ‘footprint’ is both ecological and spiritual or emotional. It is possible that when an individual steps away from their given environment for extended periods, they find it difficult to integrate upon return. Besides, the ability to step away is granted to few in the entire population.

The Changemakers Academy is for those who are rooted as well as for those who may step away. (Aside: Occasionally, of course, everyone needs to ‘step away’. In fact, if humans begin living naturally and organizing organically, we will experience that life does not stay put for too long — it has great inner variety and depth of experience.)

This approach allows for a sea-change in societies.

Sea-Change

Note: When not abused by corporations, the phrase ‘sea-change’ refers to a (gradual) transformation where the form is retained but the substance is changed. A change of heart can be called a sea-change. In reality, eventually the structures and forms, too, break down as needed to re-align with the changed heart. In that sense, a sea-change can precede change of external structures. To give an ordinary life example: A couple are separated because some grievance exists between them. Then their hearts transform and they experience forgiveness and love. This is sea-change, so far. It may then be followed by a reuniting of the separated couple.

Sea-change may sometimes be necessary if the society cannot afford a complete breakdown of the existing social order before a new, more benevolent order is achieved.

The Changemakers Academy course allows for sea-change. However, what may be, will be. Sometimes, when natural change is resisted, there is no other way left but for the existing order of life to completely break and collapse. This applies to the lives of individuals as well as groups.

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Updated: 09 November 2011